This year, the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), in its effort at ensuring that sport remains relevant and attractive to people of all ages, is organizing a weeklong Sports Jamboree and a Sports Award Night to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of sports personalities past and present and individuals or institutions that have contributed to the promotion and development of sports.
To set the ball rolling for the Award Night to be held on Saturday 13 June, an eight-man award committee was inaugurated on Thursday 7 May 2015 by the GNOC President, Alhagie Momodou Dibba.
The committee, headed by Abdul Shyllon, comprises Ebou K. Joof, Dodou Capi Joof, Kebba Masaneh Ceesay, Madam Dado Jah, Papa Njie, Momodou Demba, and Namory Trawally.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, GNOC president expressed delight with the composition of the award committee, which he said is made of knowledgeable personalities.
He seized the opportunity to remember the late Alhagie Sait Mbye, who served as GNOC Award committee chairman for several years, for his meticulous contributions to the success of the previous awards.
Mr Dibba reminded the award committee of the immense task ahead as selecting the best out of the best has never been easy.
GNOC boss re-assured the committee of GNOC’s support in their quest to present credible awardees on June 13.
He advised them to open up to all associations and welcome suggestions from sports associations and the general public at large.
For his part, the chairman of the award committee, Abdul Shyllon, thanked the GNOC Board for the trust and confidence bestowed on them.
“We will do whatever is possible to have fair and credible award selection,” Mr Shyllon promised.
Speakers on the occasion included Kebba Masaneh Ceesay, who hailed the GNOC for selecting them to service in this noble cause.
Right after the opening ceremony, the award committee went to business with their first meeting.